Spinning top



Patented Jan. 19, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,570,206 PATENT omer.

STANLEY L ooNNELL, .or einem), rENNsYLvANIA, lipssiofion To rmi GIRARIJMODEI. Worms, INC., or GIRARD, PENNSYLVANIA, A conronATIoN or PENNSYLVANIA.

SPINNING troie.

pplication led Jan'iiary To all whoml it may concern.'

Be it known that I7 STANLEY L. CONNELL, a ci'tizen'of the United States, and resident of Girard, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certainv new and useful Improvements infSpiI-ning Tops, of which the following is a specification.` v

This invention relates to -a spinning top, and relates more -p'a'r'ticularly to an iinprove'ds'heet metal top of the type embody- Ing a top body and a spring twisting or spinning head "which is 'energized for setting 'the to'p into spinning action.

In' a' well-,known form of 'this type of spinning top, the top body `is provided with a stem which receives thetwi'sting or spin ning head; and the latter includes Ia spring element designed and 'constructed to 'en'g'ag'e the top body so Ithat the 'same may be wound or energized when the lspir'ining head is Xrotated on the top body. The twisting head and top body are further provided with interengaging locking means for locking the spinning head in energized condition on the Spinning top. In this form Vof top construction the spring element usually consistsy oi a coil spring which is larranged to receive and surround the stern of the top; and to release the top to set the saine into spinning action, it yis necessary to force the stem relatively to and through the main body of the twisting or spinning head and also bodily through the coil spring; and due to the necessity of thus moving the stern through lthe spinning head, it oft-times is diiiicult to effect the release and the spinning of the top body, this being especially so when the spring is substantially fully wound, in which condition the coil spring being wound taut "about and being in frictional engagement with the stein, resists and opposes the ieleas ing movement of the stem. The prime desideratum of my present invention comprehends the provision ot an improved twisting or spinning device in which this objection is effectively obviated and which is constructed so that the top body may be released and set spinning without the resist ing interference of the winding spring and without relativelyk moving the stern of the top and the main body of the spinning device.

In prior spinning top constructions of the typ-e referred to, the spinning or twisting vdevice is 'usually provided with a 'single 5, 1924. serial No. 684,541.

lockingeleinent, which inthe rotation ofthe spinning device on the top body engages lone-of a plurality of complemental lockin means fermes in the tcp body. Ifhsveioul in this form 'of structure that when the twisting "head is energized 'to 'a substantial degree, 'the spinningfdevice has'a tendency to assume.anfunbalanced position with its axis 'at an angle to the Taxis 'of the :top stein, rendering the locking means inetfectn'al'zaiid insecure.I Itis/a Lfurther principal objeet of my present nivenaon fr@ previas y:In proved spinning device constructionin `,which this iiribalancing tendency lis eliminated, and more yspe'citically fin A` which 'a' pluralityjo'f interengag'ing lo'cking 'means 'fare provided to maintainv the spinninghead and top "stem always coaxial to assure ab'alance'd behavior of the vspinning device and proper locking interengagement between theparts.` p y Another Aplrol'ilein in the 'design "of aserviceableps'pi'nning device ,'correlative to that oi'obtaining "ease of release or disenga'g'ement of k'the same from the'f'top body for permitting a maximum convenience and facilityv of top spinning operation, is that of provid'ingffor an etlicient hold or. finger grasp so as topermit a child to obtain 'a pi'opeiaiid eii'ectual purchase` on the parts of the spinning device to operate the saine. A still further principal object'oi' iny present `invention includes the provision o f an improved twisting head or device :in which the parts are so vconstructed and inter-related as to provideajiinger grasp which aifords a security of purchase and a convenience and facilityofoperation. l

' still further desidera-tum of the' present invention centers about'the provision of v'an improved spinning' top body. c In spinning tops of the present type,.asshown for example inthe patent to E. IV. Gibbs, No. 847,933 of March 19, 1907, a disk is provided which isjoined interiorly to the top body to produce an airtight seal therewith, the stein of the top having a part extending from the bottom lof the top to the said disk being. utilized for holding the disk in the desired position. I have found thaty when this form of top is dropped upon a support for spinning, the upward axial thrust which is produced and whichlis effective on the llU To inhibit this tendency and to prevent any axial displacement of the stem, my invention includes the provision of a supporting element for the stem which is shaped or constructed to present an axial component of force which resists or opposes the upward thrust of the stem, so that all the parts are maintained intact even after long periods of use.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter particularly described and sought to be ydefined in the claims; reference being had to the accompanying drawings which show a preferred embodiment of my invention, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View of my improved spinning top.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view thereof,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the top body,

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the parts of the spinning head showing the manner of assembling the same, and

Fig. 6 is a development view of the top stem showing the manner of fashioning the same.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, the spinning top of my invention comprises an improved spinning top body and an improved spinning head or device B receivable by the top body A and rotatable relatively thereto in a well known manner to edect the energization of the spinning head and the rotation or spinning of the top.

The top body A comprises the oppositely concaved body sections 10 and 11 made of sheetmetal joined peripherally at 12, the body section. 10 being preferably, though not necessarily, provided with a raised central portion 13, which latter is provided with the circumferentially arranged orifices 14 and the circumferentially arranged indentations 15 for a purpose which will appear clearer hereinafter. Supported centrally in the body sections 10 and 11, there is provided the stem 1G which in the present form of my invention preferably entends from the lower body section 11 through and above the upper body section 10, the stem being provided with a shoulder portion such as the bead 17 engaging the lower rim of a partitioning member 18, for supporting the same for effecting an air-tight joint with the upper body section 10, so that an influx of air through the orifices and indentations 14 and 15 is prevented so that when the air holes or orifices 19 are provided in the top body, a humming sound will be produced when the top is spun.

As 1ieretofore mentioned, I have found that when the top is dropped upon a support, an upward axial thrust is produced on the stem 16 which is inefectually resisted in prior constructions by the division member 18, so that an axial displacement or play is produced in the stem after a short period of use. Toeliminate this objection, I have found it desirable to provide means for producing a counter or opposing axial Ithrust, and I have found that when the division member 18 is made or fashioned in a frusto-conical shape, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, an opposing axial component of force is produced sufficient to obviate any tendency to displacement of the stem. This frusto-conical member 18 is made of sheet metal and is arranged as shown with the rim 19 of its large base seated in the depression provided by the raised portion 13, and with the rim 2O of its small base securely engaged by the shoulder 17 of the stem.

ln order to prevent any lateral displace ment of the stem during use, l have also found it desirable to modify the construction of the bottom of the stem, and in the present form of my invention the stem 16 is provided at its bottom with a portion 21 of reduced area designed so as to surround and snugly lit the shank 22 of the spindle or spinning peg 23 as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and preferably the stem is also provided with the oppositely arranged radial wings 24, 24 for obtaining a secure support. This stem may be obviously produced in any desired manner, and in Fig. 6 of the drawings l show a preferred method of making the same, the stem being fashioned out of a blank of sheet metal having the parts 1G and 162 joined centrally of the parts 163 which latter forms the top of the stem, the bottom of each blank part being bent along the lines a, a to produce the wings 24, 24 and the remainder of the blank parts being fashioned by suitable dies to produce the tubular shape of the body of the stem and the tapered shape of the bottom thereof.

As heretofore referred to, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved spinning device constructed so that the top body may be released therefrom and set into spinning action without having to overcome the resisting interference of the winding spring and without the necessity of effecting any relative motion between the stem of the top and the main body and spring of the twisting or spinning head, this so as to eliminate the difficult spinning operation incident to prior devi es. To accomplish this object of the invention, the spinning head B in its broader aspects comprises a body section b and a locking element 7)? which in its more specific aspects may comprise a second body section of the spinning device movably carried by the body section Zi and arranged toy engage the spinning top for locking the body section thereon in an energized condition, the locking element or second body section b2 being movable relatively to the top and relatively to the body section b so as to effect a release of the top without the necessity of imparting relative motion between the top stein 16 and the spinning body section b.

In the preferred construction, the body sec-tion b includes a vertically arranged barrel portion and a horizontally arranged plate portion 26 preferably shaped to present the opposite wings 26 and 262, a marginal depending flange or skirt portion 263, and a central thumb engaging portion 264,*the barrel and plate portions being secured one to the other by the tongue and slot means 27. Carried wholly by the body section b', there is provided the winding spring 'element 2S which preferably comprises a coil spring arranged within the barrel 25, the upper end of the said spring being attached to the body section, as vto the finger 29 struck from the plate 26, the lower end 30 of the said spring element 28 being shaped so as tobe free to engage any of the plurality of the orifices 14 in the spinning top.

The locking element or body section b2 also preferably includes a vertically arranged barrel portion 3l arranged coaxially with the inner barrel 25 and a horizontal plate ortion 32 presenting the opposite wings 32 and 322, the said plate portion being shaped to provide thenpturned marginal skirt or flange 323. Y

As clearly shown in Figs. l and 3 of-the drawings, the opposite wings of the plate portions 26 vand 82 are arranged in close overlying relation so as to produce a convenient finger grasp, the marginal flanges of the said plate portions being arranged to telescope and interlock for forming a casing which houses a compression spring 33., the opposite ends of which bear in opposition against the plate sections to hold the same normally in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the-drawings.

The locking element proper in the preferred construction comprises a cup-shaped member 34 attached to the outer barrel 3l by the tongue and groove means 34V, the said member Slt being provided peripherally with a plurality of locking teeth 35, 35 arranged to engage and interlock with the indentations 15 of the top body heretofore referred to. By the provision of this locking means, I have found that the body sections Z2 and 792 are always maintained in coaxial relation even when the spring' element is fully 'ener` gized, this producing not only a balanced construction but assuring the locking engagement between the spinning top and the spinning head.

The manner of making and using my imf proved spinning top and its advantages will in the main be fully apparent from the above detailed description thereof. It will be further apparent that after thc spinning device is energized with the parts arranged as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, to release the top and spin the same the locking element or body section b2 is moved upwardly against the action of the compression spring 33, the disengagement of the locking teeth from the top body effecting the release of the top and the spinning of the same under the .influence of the recoil action of the spring element 28. It will be noted that this is accomA plished without moving the spring element relatively vto vthe stein so that the only force which it is necessary to overcome in spinning the top is that ofthe compression spring 33 and the slight friction between the interengaging locking means 35-l5. It will be further noted that by the provision of the plurality of locking teeth and the symmetrical construction of the body sections Zi and Z22, that a highly advantageous balanced spinning devicel is produced. The provision, moreover, of the opposite wing construction yields a. spinning device which presents a finger .grasp which may bc manipulated by the child with considerable ease and convenience. l

Thile I have shown my device in the preferred form, it will be obvious that many changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invent-ion, defined in the following claims.

I claim: l

l. The combination with a spinning top having an upwardly projecting stein, of a top-spinning device comprising a body section for receiving said stem, a spring element carried by said body section and having means for engaging the spinning top, a lockin@ element surrounding and movably carried by the body section arranged to engage the said spinning top for locking the said body section thereon with the spring element energized, and means for moving the locking element relatively to the said body section and in disengagement from the spinning top whereby the spinningl top may be released from the energized top-spinning dvice without any relative axial motion between the said top sterL and the topi-spinning body section.

2. The combination with a sheet metal spinning top having an upwardly projecting stem, of a top-spinningl device comprising body section made of sheet metal for receiving said stem, a spring element attached at one end to said body section and being free at the other end for engaging the spin-l ning top, a locking element surrounding and movably carried by the body section areli) ranged to engage the spinning top for loch` ing the said body section thereon with the spring element energized, and means ior the locti element rela ely to the said bwl); section and in disengagciorfut from the top whereby the spinning top may be reeaff'l troni the energized topsiinning device without any relative axial motion between the said top stem and the top-spinning body section.

3. A top-spinning device comprising a body section, a spring element carried by said body section and having means for engaging a spinning top, a locking element disposed coarially with and inova ly carried by the body section arranged to engage the said spinning top for locking the said body section thereon with the spring element energized, and means for moving the locking element relatively to the said body section to disengage the element from the spinning top to release the latter without moving the said body section.

rlhe con'ibination with a spinning top having an upwardly projecting stem, of a top spinning device removably receivable by the said stern, the said top spinning device comprising coaXially arranged body sections one movable axially relatively to the other, a winding spring element carried wholly by one ot said -body sections and having means for engaging the spinning top, and a locking element on the other of said body sections arranged to engage the said spinning top for locking the said body section thereon with the spring element energized.

A top-spinning device comprising coanially arranged body sections, one section being axially movable relatively to the other, a spring element attached at one end to one ot said body sections and being Jtree at the other end for engaging a spinning top, and a locking element on the other of said sections arranged to engage the spinning top tor locking the l'irst body section thereon when the spring element is energized.

6. A top-spinning device comprising coaxially arranged body sections one movable axially relatively to the other, the said sections including inner and outer barrel portions, coil spring element carried by one section and arranged within the inner barrel portion and a loclring element on the outer barrel portion having a plurality of locking teeth arranged circumterentially thereabout.

7. A top-spinning device comprising two body sections axially movable one relatively to the other, each section including a vertical barrel portion and a horizontal plate portion, the barrel portions being coaxially arranged and the plate portions being arranged one overlying the other to torni a finger grasp for relatively moving the body sections, a spring element carried by one of said body sections and a locking element carried by the other body section.

ifi. top-spinning device comprising two body sections axially movable one relatively to the other, each section having a barrel portion and opposite wing portions, the barrel portions of the sections being arranged coaxially and the wing portions being arranged in overlying relation to form a .linger grasp 'for relatively moving the sections, a spring element carried by one ot said sections and a locking element carried by the other ot said sections.

A top-spinning device comprising two body sections axially movable one relatively to the other, each section having a barrel portion and opposite wing portions, the barrel portions ot the sections being arranged coaxially and the wing portions being arranged in overlying relation to form a linger grasp for relatively moving the sections, a spring between the body sections, a spring clement carried wholly by one oi said body sections and a locking element on the other body section.

lll. A top-spinning device comprising two indy sections axially movable one relatively o the other, each section having a barrel portion and opposite wing portions, the barrel portions of the sections being arranged coarially and the wing portions bein arranged in overlying relation to form a ger grasp for relatively moving the sections, a compression spring located between the wing portions, a coil spring attached at one end to one of said body sections and being tree at its other end to engage a spinning top, and a locking element on the other body section.

il. A top-spinning device comprising relatively movable body sections one body section including an outer barrel and a plate attached thereto, the said plate being provided with an upturned marginal flange, 'the other body section including an inner barrel and a plate attached thereto, the said latter plate overlying the first-mentioned plate and being provided with a downwardly turned marginal iiange arranged in telescopic relation "with the upwardly turned flange ot the first-mentioned plate and providing therewith a housing, a compresswn spring in said housingbetween said plates, a coil spring within the inner barrel having one end attached to the overlying plate and being tree at its other end to engage a spinning top, and a locking element attached to the outer barrel provided with a plurality of peripheral locking teeth.

l2. rl`he combination with a spinning top having an upwardly projecting stem, of a top-spinning device comprising a body section for receiving said stem, a spring element carried by said body section having means for engaging the spinning top and a locking element movably carried by the body section, said locking element having a plurality of peripherally spaced locking means arranged to engage the spinning top at points spaced about said stem :for locking the said body section thereon when the spring element is energized.

13. The combination with a spinning top having an upwardly projecting stem, of a top spinning device removably receivable by said top stem and comprising a body section including a horizontally arranged plate portion, a winding spring element associated with said body section and having means for engaging the spinning top, and a locking element associated with said body section also arranged to engage the said spinning top, the said locking element being also provided with a horizontal plate portion, the said plate portions being arranged one overlying the other for forming a finger grasp to move the locking element relatively tothe body section.

14.-. The combination with a spinning top having an upwardly projecting stem, of a top spinning device removably receivable by said stem and comprising a body section having oppositely disposed wing portions, a winding spring element carried by said body section and having means for engaging the spinning top, a locking element as sociated with said body section arranged to engage the said lspinning top and also provided with oppositely disposed lwing portions underlying the wing portions of the body section and forming therewith a linger grasp for moving the locking element relatively to the body section. y

15. A sheet metal spinning top comprising upper and lower body sections connected to form a hollow body, a frusto-conical shaped member arranged with its large base interiorly engaging the top of the upper body section and a stem disposed centrally of said sections and member, the said stem having an end interiorly engaging the bottom of the lower body section and having a shoulder arranged substantially below the top of the upper body section and engaging the small base of the rusto-conical member, the construction being such that an upward axial thrust on said stem incident to the dropping of the Spinnin top upon a support will be resisted by the ownward axial component of force provided by said frusto-eonical member.

16. A spinning top comprising upper and lower body sections made 4of sheet metal connected to form a hollow body, a frustoconical shaped member also made of sheet metal arranged with the rim of its large base interiorly engaging the top of the upper body section and forming therewith an air-tight joint, and a stem supported centrally of said sections and member, the said stem having an end interiorly engaging the bottom of the lower body section and having a bead arranged substantially below the top of the upper body section and engaging the rim of the small base of the frustoconical member, the construction being such that anupward axial thrust on said stem incident to the dropping ofthe spinning top on a support will be effectively resisted by a downward axial component of force provided by said truste-conical member.

17. A spinning top comprising upper and lower body sections connected together to -orm a hollow body, a spindle in said lower body section having an interiorly disposed shank, a frusto-conical member arranged with its large base interiorly engaging the top of the upper body section, and a stem disposed cent-rally of said sections and member, the bottom of said stem receiving and closely fitting the spindle shank to prevent lateral displacement of the stem, the said stem being provided with a shoulder arranged substantially below the top of the upper body section and engaging the lower base of the frusto-conical member, the construction being such that an upward axial thrust on said stem incident to the dropping ofl the spinning top on a support will be etfectively resisted by a downward axial component of force provided in the frusto-conical member, preventing any axial displacement of the stem during use.

Signedat Girard, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, this 26th day of December, A. D. 1923. 

